Jurors, lawyers and social workers face 'resilience test' in inaccessible courts

Jurors, lawyers and social workers face 'resilience test' in inaccessible courts 3 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Kateryna Pavlyuk Vikki Walton-Cole Vikki Walton-Cole said the barriers she faced in court made her feel "unprofessional" By the time disabled social worker Vikki Walton-Cole arrived at court, she was already "in pain and unable to walk". She was not then a full-time wheelchair user. But as the court had no on-site or nearby parking, it was a "massive effort" to walk from much further disabled parking, she told BBC podcast Access All. When she then discovered the courtroom was only accessible by stairs, she "burst into tears". "That's obviously not a great way to arrive at court as the professional." Walton-Cole says access issues like these were a "massive factor" in her decision to leave social work "because there's just too many barriers in the court system". The BBC has heard that inaccessible courts have led to a number of issues for disabled people, including jurors feeling vulnerable, and lawyers having to join cases remotely despite being metres from the courtroom. Under the Equality Act, courts must provide "reasonable adjustments" to those with disabilities. A HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) spokesperson said: "We are working closely with disability groups to reduce the barriers disabled people face when accessing justice." Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Contact Kateryna at: [email protected] Juries are 'supposed to reflect society' After leaving social work, Walton-Cole experienced another side of court when she was called for jury service last year at Guildford Crown Court in Surrey. She was keen to participate. Then a full-time powerchair (electric wheelchair) user, she spent weeks asking "basic access questions", but says she eventually gave up after finding the experience "so stressful". The court said they felt they did everything they could to meet her access needs. Walton-Cole was repeatedly told she could be excused from jury service, but pushed against that, saying: "As a jury, we're supposed to reflect society." Victoria Gerrard is another wheelchair user who recently received a jury summons. She served as a juror earlier this year in Paisley Sheriff Court in Scotland. She said there was no accessible toilet in the jury area, and "there wasn't anyone practically saying, 'If you need to use the bathroom, here's how to manage it.' "It doesn't seem like it had been particularly thought of." Gerrard could not use the stair-only juror exit, and had to be escorted through public areas. This meant she regularly passed the accused and their family, who "glared" at jurors and had to be removed by police after an "outburst", leaving Gerrard feeling especially vulnerable. On the final day of the trial, all other jurors left together and arranged onward travel in groups. Gerrard said she was "left sitting out the front of the building, feeling very exposed". "No one even c